I wanted to share with you some of my favorite tools that I use my Fluid Matt Sheer Acrylics and Acrylic Inks with.

First off, when using a new paint for the first time, I always like to do a a color wheel and or swatch test. This allows me to see the color full strength and what it looks like washed out.

Here is a color wheel and swatch test for my Acrylic Inks, using a Montana Marker.

 

I love these markers! They come in a variety of marker tips and you can get them empty to refill yourself. I’ve yet to have one dry up on me using my Acrylic Inks! You do have to remember to cap them though because as with any marker it would dry up left uncapped. They also have a mixing ball in them perfect for mixing the heavy pigment load in these inks with the binders.

These are Mini Misters by Ranger and I love them with my Acrylic Inks as well. I especially love that you can get these nifty ‘stadium seating’ type caddies for them that hold all of my colors in them. I bought an extra caddy for my Montana Markers (above) too! This keeps them on my work table with easy access.

I’m using my Stencil Girl Color Wheel Stencil and I always have a little Pocket Color Wheel guide around to help with mixing and color combinations.

The porcelain palette has 12 wells that can hold each of my colors of Fluid Matt Sheer Acrylics. It’s important to have a palette with wells for them as they are very fluid.

Most of you that have taken past workshops from me or read my books know how I love to use Bingo Daubers with paint in them. I’ve been doing this since I taught pre school 20 years ago! These daubers are from Rock Art and are by far my favorite ones. They never clog up with my paints and believe me they have been put through major testing in workshops! For several years I mixed my own paints with the recipe I share in my book Creating Art at the Speed of Life, and it’s so excited to have my new paints available that were based off of that recipe and in my custom color palette. I spent several weeks mixing colors to get just the right ones to use in my line. My biggest goal was that the paint colors played well together and these really do.

For those who’ve taken my workshops this past year and had a chance to play with these paints and inks first hand, you know that my go to color is Mustard Seed. It honestly goes with every other color on my palette! So if you’re looking to try out my line I would suggest getting one or two of your favorite colors and Mustard Seed. This will give you some gorgeous color play.

These journal page backgrounds were done on hot press watercolor paper prepped with gesso, using Stencil Girl stencils and my inks.

 

From upper left to right:

Nightfall-Mustard Seed

Turquoise-Mustard Seed

Rain-Mustard Seed

Turquoise-Mustard Seed-Golden Rod

Celedon-Turquoise-Mustard Seed

Royal Purple-Mustard Seed

Nightfall-Mustard Seed

Magenta-Poppy-Mustard Seed